The UNESCO Hong Kong Association held the 2024 Secondary School Model UNESCO Conference in Hong Kong on “Artificial Intelligence and Education”
Sponsored by Bank of China (Hong Kong) and organized by the UNESCO Hong Kong Association and the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, the “2024 Secondary School Model UNESCO (MUNESCO) International Conference – Artificial Intelligence and Education” was grandly held in Hong Kong from July 20-21, 2024. This conference established a bridge for international youth exchange, bringing together student representatives from Poland, India, Nepal, Shanghai, Chengdu, Hainan, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Macau, and Hong Kong. It united global youth wisdom to explore the multidimensional synergies of artificial intelligence and education through debate and negotiation. Together, they drafted the “Youth Prospect on the use of AI in Education in Hong Kong,” presenting innovative solutions to promote Sustainable Development Goal 4 – Quality Education.
On the evening of July 20, the award ceremony and global youth exchange ceremony was held. The ceremony invited Professor Karen Cheung, President of the UNESCO Hong Kong Association and Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Education for Sustainable Development, Professor Ng Hak-kim, GBS, JP, former Secretary for Education of Hong Kong, Ms. Blanka Golebiowska, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of Poland in Hong Kong; Mr. Bhoj Kumar Bhattarai, Deputy Consul of the Consulate General of Nepal in Hong Kong, Ms. Yip Lai Lai, Deputy General Manager of the Corporate Social Responsibility Office of Bank of China (Hong Kong), and Dr. Shu Chang, Secretary-General of the Board of Directors of the Sprinkles Charity Foundation, Chief Economist for Bloomberg in the Asia as the officiating guest. The officiating guest kicked-off the ceremony by showing research reporst and guidelines on artificial intelligence and education published by UNESCO, forming a timeline. Representatives from renown universities, school principals, teachers, youth ambassadors, as well as winning student representatives from past Model UNESCO conferences were also invited to the ceremony.
Professor Karen Cheung delivered the welcome speech at the ceremony, emphasizing that AI is rapidly integrating into our education and teaching, in addition to bringing new vitality to education, it also promotes the transformation of teaching and management models, enabling education to explore new directions amidst constant change. The conference’s alignment with UNESCO’s focus on education and artificial intelligence, as well as the global advancement of UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through interactive and youth-led experiential learning activities, the conference aims to empower youth, cultivate interdisciplinary critical skills such as systemic thinking, strategic thinking, collaboration, critical thinking, and integrated problem-solving, inspiring an organic integration of diverse cultures and thoughts.
In the officiating remarks, Mr. Ng Hak-kim the innovation of this conference and its importance to international youth exchanges. He mentioned that, today, with the rapid development of science and technology, youths are the steersman of creating a sustainable future, and the topics of this is exactly what the youth need to pay most attention to. He hopes that the students participating in this conference can reflect on the outcomes of the discussion, to explore them in greater depth and contribute to future education and scientific innovation.
The ceremony also featured the “Sustainable Development – Youth in Action” Roundtable, where UNESCO Hong Kong Association Green Citizens Youth Ambassadors shared interdisciplinary collaboration in promoting sustainable development. They also presented perspectives on how artificial intelligence enhances education from the viewpoints of university students and young professionals. During the international cultural performance session of the ceremony, students showcased traditional Chinese Instrument, Indian Bollywood Dance, Polish cultural introduction, guitar, and opera performances, adding vibrancy to the event.
To further showcase Hong Kong’s cultural charm and innovative technological developments to international youth, the organisers arranged enriching study tours for the participating students. On July 21st , they visited Hong Kong Science Park, Bank of China (Hong Kong) Innovation Laboratory, M+ Museum with its special exhibition “I.M. Pei: Life Is Architecture,” and the Hong Kong Palace Museum, providing an immersive experience of Hong Kong.
This conference not only served as a youth platform for exchanging ideas on artificial intelligence and education but also as a cultural celebration. It opened a window for young participants to understand diverse world cultures, while showcasing Hong Kong’s efforts and achievements in promoting sustainable development and technological innovation. By fostering global youth collaboration, it aims to collectively explore a bright future for artificial intelligence and education.
List of Awardees:
Best Delegation: ELCHK Lutheran Academy – Angelina Au Yeung、Ann Ann Leung、Cindy Hui（the delegation of Switzerland）
Outstanding Delegation：
The Chinese Foundation Secondary School (Hong Kong) – Tai Cho Fung Woody、Kwok Chue Ngai Bernard（the delegation of Saudi Arabia）
Shenzhen Cuiyuan Middle School – Li Qianxi、Gao Zexin（the delegation of Finland）
Special Recognition：
Chengdu No.7 High School – Zhang Xinbei、Liang Yidan（the delegation of Germany）
Heritage International Xperiential School (India) – Ayaan Tandon、Trisha Kara、Arush Mukker（the delegation of India）
Shanghai SMIC Private School, Shanghai Hongwen International School – Yutong Zhang、Weihang (Alex) Shan、Wanshu Tai（the delegation of Canada）
Best Strategy：
ELCHK Lutheran Academy – Cassley Chan、Brian Tang、Jayden Chan（the delegation of Spain）
Pui Ching Middle School Macau – Pun Chi Kin（the delegation of the United Kingdom）
Heritage International Xperiential School (India) – Sohana Luthra、Kunal Taneja、Anish Garg（the delegation of Jamaica）
Best Delegate：Shenzhen Cuiyuan Middle School – Li Qianxi
Outstanding Delegate：Pui Ching Middle School Macau – Pun Chi Kin, The Chinese Foundation Secondary School (Hong Kong) – Tai Cho Fung Woody, ELCHK Lutheran Academy – Ibrahim Malik
Best speaker：Heritage International Xperiential School (India) – Mrityunjay Rai Nagpal、Chengdu No.7 High School – Liang Yidan、ŻAGLE Liceum Ogólnokształcące Stowarzyszenia STERNIK (Poland) – Marek Nita-Jagielski
Schools of Finalists:
- Diocesan Girls’ School (Hong Kong)
- ELCHK Lutheran Academy
- Guangzhou Huangpu Suyuan School
- Guangzhou No.2 High School
- Haikou Middle School
- Hainan Overseas Chinese Middle School, Meilisha
- Heritage International Xperiential School (India)
- Hetauda School of Management (Nepal)
- HKUGA College
- ISF Academy (Hong Kong)
- Kowloon True Light School (Hong Kong)
- Liceum Strumienie Stowarzyszenia Sternik (Poland)
- Northeast Yucai School
- Pope Paul VI College (Hong Kong)
- Pui Ching Middle School Macau
- Shanghai Hongwen School Pudong
- Shanghai Jincai High School
- Shanghai Jincai Highschool International Division
- Shanghai SMIC Private School
- Shenzhen Cuiyuan Middle School
- Sichuan Chengdu No.7 High School
- Paul’s Co-Educational College (Hong Kong)
- Paul’s College (Hong Kong)
- The Chinese Foundation Secondary School Hong Kong
- ŻAGLE Liceum Ogólnokształcące Stowarzyszenia STERNIK (Polanad)
Acknowledgement:
Title Sponsor: Bank of China (Hong Kong)
Co – Organiser: Sprinkles (HK) Charity Foundation Limited
Supporting Organisations:
- Education Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People’s Republic of China
- Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government of the People’s Republic of China
- College of Professional and Continuing Education, Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong
- The Education University of Hong Kong
- The Education University of Hong Kong Alumni Association
- The Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers
- Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council
- The Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education
- Sustainable Development Solutions Network (Hong Kong)
Supporting Consulates:
- British Consulate General Hong Kong
- Consulate General of Colombia in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of Germany in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of Italy in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of Mexico in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong
- Consulate General of Poland in Hong Kong
No responses yet